Key Topics:
- Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA)
- Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP)
- Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)
- Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL)
- Incandescent Lamps (ICLs)
- Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs)
- Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC)
- Energy Efficiency in India
- Energy and Environment
- Economic Impact of Energy Efficiency Programs
- Public Lighting Systems in Urban India
Why in News?
The Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) scheme, launched on 5th January 2015, marks its 10th anniversary as a transformative initiative aimed at energy efficiency.
Alongside UJALA, the Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP) was also introduced, focusing on replacing conventional streetlights with energy-efficient LEDs.
Key Facts About UJALA Scheme
Overview of UJALA Scheme:
- Launched: January 2015.
- Objective: To promote energy efficiency by replacing traditional lighting systems (e.g., ICLs and CFLs) with LED bulbs.
- Partnerships: A joint project by the Government of India’s Public Sector Undertakings, the Union Ministry of Power’s EESL, and Distribution Companies (DISCOMs).
Significance and Need for UJALA:
- Lighting Consumption: Accounts for 18-27% of residential electricity use in India.
- Baseline Data: In 2011, Indian households used about 1 billion lighting points, predominantly CFLs (46%) and tube lights (41%). Only 0.4% used LEDs.
Energy Efficiency of LEDs:
- Save up to 90% energy compared to ICLs and 50% energy compared to CFLs.
- LED bulbs consume 75% less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs.
- High upfront cost was a barrier initially, which UJALA addressed through subsidized pricing.
Key Features of UJALA Scheme
Subsidized LED Bulbs:
- Reduced cost to ₹70 per bulb from ₹450 (2014).
- Affordability achieved through the demand aggregation-price crash model (bulk purchasing).
Distribution Mechanism:
- EESL floated open bids for bulk procurement.
- Collaborated with state governments to set up a distribution network.
Achievements Under UJALA:
- LED Distribution: Over 36.87 crore LED bulbs distributed nationwide.
- Energy Savings: Annual savings of 47,883 million kWh.
- Cost Reduction: Annual monetary savings of ₹19,153 crore.
- CO₂ Reduction: Avoidance of 3.88 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.
- Peak Demand Avoided: Reduced peak demand by 9,586 MW.
GRAM UJALA Scheme (2021):
- Objective: Provide LED bulbs at ₹10 each to rural households in exchange for old ICLs.
- Phase-I Target:
- Distribution of 1.5 crore LED bulbs.
- Annual savings of 2,025 million kWh.
- CO₂ reduction of 1.65 million tonnes annually.
Key Facts About Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP)
Overview of SLNP:
- Objective: Replace conventional streetlights with LEDs to:
- Reduce energy consumption.
- Lower operational costs for municipalities.
- Drive market transformation toward energy-efficient appliances.
Implementing Agency:
- Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) was designated to implement the program in collaboration with:
- Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
- Municipal Bodies and Gram Panchayats (GPs).
- Central and State Governments.
Business Model:
- EESL covers initial project costs, recovering the investment through periodic payments from municipalities.
- Ensures 95% uptime for streetlights to enhance public safety and reliability.
Comparison of Lighting Technologies
Feature | Incandescent Lamps (ICLs) | Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) | Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) |
Energy Efficiency | Low | Moderate | High |
Power Consumption | High | Moderate | Low |
Cost of Bulb | Low | Moderate | High |
Heat Emission | High | Moderate | Very Low |
Environmental Impact | High | Moderate (contains mercury) | Low (no harmful emissions) |
Durability | Fragile | More durable than ICLs | Very durable |
About Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL)
- Established:
- Ownership: Joint venture of:
- National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC).
- Power Finance Corporation Limited.
- REC Limited.
- POWERGRID Corporation of India Limited.
- Objective: Implement the world’s largest energy efficiency programs in lighting, buildings, electric mobility, and more.
- Achievements: Saved over 47 billion kWh annually, reducing carbon emissions by 36.5 million tonnes.
Key Terms Explained
Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC):
- Promotes energy-efficient building construction practices.
Demand Aggregation-Price Crash Model:
- Bulk purchasing strategy to lower unit costs of LEDs.
ESCO (Energy Service Company):
- Specialized companies like EESL that implement energy efficiency projects and recover costs through savings.
Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE):
- Governs Standards and Labeling programs for energy-efficient appliances.
India’s Other Energy Efficiency Initiatives:
- National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE).
- National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP).
- Perform Achieve and Trade (PAT) Scheme.
- Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022.
Conclusion
The UJALA and SLNP initiatives exemplify India’s commitment to sustainable development and energy efficiency. By leveraging innovative models like demand aggregation and ESCO-based frameworks, these programs address economic, environmental, and social challenges effectively. They have not only contributed to significant energy and cost savings but also set a global benchmark for large-scale public-private partnerships in energy efficiency. Moving forward, expanding such initiatives and integrating them with emerging technologies will be crucial for achieving India’s energy and climate goals.
